5. Famine in Makkah

ut of the four sons of Abd Manaf, Hashim is very well known. OHe was the great grandfather of the Prophet ≥. The Prophet’s family is named after him, as they are called the Banu Hashim. Due to his ability to manage things well, Hashim rose to be the supreme leader of the . Like his father, he too urged the Quraysh to be generous to the pilgrims coming to the Kabah, as they were ’s guests. Hashim not only discharged his duties in the best manner as the chief of Makkah, but he also helped the Makkans in a big way. Once, during a famine in Makkah, Hashim was generous enough not only to feed the pilgrims but also to take care of the entire population of Makkah. This gave him a very high and honourable position. Apart from this, Hashim organized the trade of Makkah in a big way. He organized two trade caravans, one from Makkah to Syria and another from Makkah to Yemen. These trips were development of the great civilizations of China, India, , Iran and Arabia. Some of the goods traded in those trade caravans were silk, fabrics, musk, perfumes, spices, medicines, jewels, glassware, ivory, textiles, gold, silver, precious stones, etc.

7. Makkah Prospered

ue to the caravan going from Makkah to Yemen and Syria Dand from there to other parts of the world, Makkan trade was given a boost and Makkah became the trade centre for the whole of Arabia. Caravans started coming from many countries and goods were exported and imported in big convoys. This gave rise to the development of markets all around Makkah to deal with the growing business in the region. Hashim saw to it that business affairs in Makkah developed

11 longer functioning. Due to the carelessness of certain people of Jurhum tribe some years ago, the Zamzam well had been filled with sand and mud and was thus so totally ruined that it disappeared. Over the years people did not even know the exact location of the well. However, the Makkans had heard about Zamzam, and the story of the Prophet Ibrahim ∑ and his son Ismail ∑ were fresh in their memory. They always desired and hoped that one day the Zamzam well could be restored.

11. Re-digging the Zamzam well

ince Abd al-Muttalib was in charge Sof arranging fresh water for the pilgrims, he found it difficult to discharge his duties, as there was no well near the Kabah. He had to get water from outside Makkah and store it in a reservoir near the Kabah. For this reason, his desire to restore the Zamzam well grew. One day he had a dream. He saw that someone in his dream was saying to him to re-dig the Zamzam well. This

15 gave him confidence in his idea of re-digging the well of Zamzam, which was a matter of great concern to him. Abd al- Muttalib was not aware of the exact location of the original well, nor could the Makkans guide him in locating the place where he should start the digging. With the help of his son Al- Mughirah, Abd al-Muttalib started the digging near the Kabah. It was very difficult work. None of the people of Makkah came forward to help him. They thought Abd al-Muttalib’s efforts were futile. But he did not lose his urge to revive the Zamzam well. Then, after long days of hard work, he was rewarded. All of a sudden, the water of the Zamzam well gushed forth from beneath the place where he was digging. This gave immense joy to Abd al- Muttalib as well as to the Makkans.

12. Rare Treasures

hile digging, Abd al-Muttalib hit upon Wsome rare treasures also. He unearthed two golden gazelles and other precious items. When the Quraysh came to know about this, they wanted the treasures to be handed over to them. But Abd al-Muttalib said, “Let’s have a draw.”

16 He suggested three equal partners, namely, the Kabah, the Quraysh, and Abd al-Muttalib. To which the Quraysh agreed. When the draw of lots was conducted by placing arrows, the Quraysh were completely defeated. The Kabah won the golden gazelles, while Abd al-Muttalib won the other precious things. Abd al-Muttalib fixed the two golden gazelles at the door of the Kabah as decoration. Now, since the Zamzam well was restored, the Makkans found it easy to quench their thirst from it and it was easier for Abd al-Muttalib to provide the pilgrims with a supply of fresh water.

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